Belmont School of Music Adjunct Professor and Belmont Alumnus James Matthews recently won first place in the Kings Peak International Music Competition, first place in the Charleston International Music Competition (Watch his performance here) as well as second place in the Clara Schumann International Music Competition.
Additionally, current Belmont junior Ariel Redmond won second place in the Kings Peak International Music Competition under the College Student category.
“We’re so honored to represent Belmont and get the school’s name out there!” said Matthews.
A native of Florida, Matthews received his Masters Degree from Belmont and his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of West Florida. He has achieved numerous prizes in piano competitions that led to a Medal of Musical Excellence from the City of New York. After his first Carnegie Hall debut in April of 2014, Matthews has been featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, People Magazine, Good Morning America, NPR and BBC World News and has performed solo in all of the United States in North America being known for his dramatic romantic piano music performances. In 2015, he returned to Carnegie Hall for an encore performance with the music of Franz Liszt. The New York Post quotes James as being a “rising star.”
